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B4 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 4, 2002 I t 's a ll a b o u t p r o g r a m s a t t h e n e w O a k v ille Y M C A By Melanie Cummings S P E C IA L T O T H E B E A V E R There is an architectural m axim w hich states that a building is only as great as the w ork done by its inhabitants. W ith that in m ind, look beyond the stateliness o f O akville's newly opened YM CA, w ith all its fitness-related bells and w histles, and w hat rem ains is a crew of dedicated experts who operate in an atm os phere o f relaxed informality. It's not unusual to see Y supervisors and sen ior m anagers leading a fitness class, or filling in at the reception desk -- hierarchical think ing is considered a hindrance to the com m on goal of building strong kids, strong fam ilies and strong com m unities. It's also com m on for m em bers to know Y staffers by nam e -- first name. Such cam a raderie is encouraged. In H ealth, Fitness and R ecreation Supervisor, Jeannette H eyw ood's w ords, it's all about "com m unity building". "Our jo b is to encourage m em bers to pursue their physical fit ness goals, w ithout intim idating them. In turn, their confidence and self-esteem is heightened. That positive spirit alw ays spills out into the community," says Jeanette. The Young M en 's C hristian A ssociation began as an organization intent on boosting spirits. It then evolved into concentrating on education, im proving the mind. Now, it is more known for its physical developm ent focus. But this is achieved w ith its roots still intact. W ith education and inspiration playing an integral role in helping m em bers achieve their fitness goals, it's hoped each will m ake a life long com m itm ent to exercise. "The `quick fix ' simply doesn't work," said Jeannette o f the fit ness industry. The O akville Y 's investm ent in state-of-theart Technogym fitness equipm ent mirrors this long-term devotion to better health. A `sm art key' data chip containing pertinent physical inform ation and a individualized w orkout regi men tracks m em bers' progress, acting like a sort of personal trainer w ithout the intensity of one, says Jeanette. An accom panying software program allows Y staff to read the `sm art k ey' data routinely, to ensure each person is on the way to achieving their fitness goals. New cycle-fit classes and aerobic program s, as well as circuit training routes, and popular recreational pursuits such as volleyball and basketball, have been added to the ample roster o f exercise options. Perhaps the m ost difficult decision for new Y m em bers will be w hich fit ness area to try out first. Entry into the Rebecca Street building is a head-turning experience. Its two pools are on the left, a Fam ily A dventure Centre sits on the right, and beyond are the fitness and recreation areas. Jamie Smith · Oakville Beaver The staff of the Oakville Y cheer the opening of the new Y M C A building at 410 Rebecca St. Encouraging children to try many different sports and m ovem ent activities is param ount to the future fitness of any community, says the O akville Y 's Supervisor of Child and Youth Program s, Teresa Rinaldi. She and her staff are heralding several new recreation, sports and creative m ovem ent pro gram s aim ed at youth, including judo, jiujitsu and taekw ondo as well as daily pick-up basket ball gam es after school. C hallenging young minds physically as well as m entally is also the focus o f the new Family A dventure Centre, which literally has children and adults alike clim bing the walls. "It's phenom enal," says Teresa of the nine clim bing routes in the Centre. "It challenges the person clim bing to persevere and go on, to go as far as they possibly can." For those whose m ovem ent is lim ited, the O akville Y 's Aquatic D epartm ent has created several inclusive program s. With two pools, one for leisure and a 25-m etre lane pool, there is ample fun to be had by all age categories and swim abilities, says Aquatics Supervisor Nancy Nunes. "Optimal accessibility is param ount in all our program s," said Nancy. The shallow depth (3 1/2 feet) and warm tem perature of the Leisure Pool is geared to preschool children and those needing physio therapy. Her departm ent is equally focused on m ak ing fitness fun, preferring to instill a love of physical activity in people, rather than inducing a pressure to perform in them. This is the rationale behind the continuous registration swimming lessons offered. There are no start and end dates, or sessions for swim lessons, says Nancy. All levels run sim ultane ously and as sw im m ers progress they are moved into the next one. "If it takes a person two weeks or two years, the focus is on fun and safety," said Nancy. After-school aqua sports are also offered for children daily -- handball, underw ater hockey or basketball. A teen-centred Friday night Rock N ' Swim, which spins the young sw im m ers' favorite musical tunes, is sure to attract many into the pool. All o f the features of the new Oakville YM CA are sure to lure many newcom ers to the Rebecca Street building. It is an im pressive facility. But what is more likely to keep people com ing back again and again is the ever-present congenial nature of the people in it. YMCA o f O A K V IL L E S trd td h dum b re a c h move N ow O pen Stop in and take a tour Everyone Welcome Y M C A of O a k v ille W e b u ild s tr o n g k id s , s tr o n g fa m ilie s , s tr o n g c o m m u n itie s . Y M C A of O a k v ille 4 1 0 Rebecca Street, Oakville, ON L6K 1K7 Tel 9 0 5 -8 4 5 -3 4 1 7 Fax 9 0 5 -8 4 2 -6 7 9 2 E-mail: customerservice@oakville.ymca.ca Visit our Website @ www.ymcaofoakville.com Hours of operation: Monday - Friday 5 :30 am - 10:00 pm Saturday 7 :00 am - 8 :00 pm Sunday 8 :00 am - 6 :00 pm